Combination earth mover and bulldozer



March 9, 1943. E. C.-GLEDHILL COMBINATION EARTH MOVER AND BULLDOZER Filed Feb. 19, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l 2.0. 'zedkizz March 9, 1943.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 19, 1941 amen Mm .1 1. 6. G'Zed/zz'll ww RN N! m A m m m \.nl 5 "MEI j MN! N v W V M \N QM RN FM i i 4 E y i mm m .FWW $1 I March 1943- E. c. GLEDHILL COMBINATION EARTH MOVER AND BULLDOZER Filed Feb. 19, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 9, 1943 COMBINATION EARTH MOVER AND BULLDOZER Edward C. Gledhill, Gallon, Ohio Application February 19, 1941, Serial No. 379,703

Claims.

This invention relates, generally, to road machines and more particularly to a combination earth mover and bulldozer.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character which will, in one operative position, be capable of moving dirt and the like from a point of excavation to a dumping ground, and in another position, be operative for leveling ofi surfaces, filling ditches, and efiecting other similar dirt moving operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination earth mover and bulldozer which will employ a scoop which will be capable of operation either as a bucket or as an earth mover.

A further object of the invention is to provide a road machine of this particular type employing improved mechanism for mounting the scoop.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a combination earth mover and bulldozer wherein means are employed for retaining the scoop in either of its operative positions.

And still another object of the invention is to provide a combination earth mover and bulldozer which will lend itself particularly well for use in the excavation of small cellars, and other excavating and earth moving work which is suffi ciently difficult to make the use of machine labor economical.

And still another object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character wherein any suitable raising means may be employed for the scoop.

Still further objects of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing my improved combination earth mover and bulldozer as it would appear mounted on a tractor, the tractor being shown in dotted lines,

Figure 2 is a top plan view vof the invention installed on a tractor, the tractor, as in Figure 1, being shown in dotted lines,

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail side elevation showing the invention as it would'appear in position for operation as a bulldozer, and

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail side elevation of the invention in the position in which it would be disposed when used as an earth mover.

In the drawings, similar reference characters will be used to designate like parts throughout the views.

The numeral I indicates in general a tractor which is of the light duty type. The tractor is of standard design and includes a rear axle 2, rear wheels 3, a transmission 4 and power takeoff levers 5, shown in full lines, which power take-off levers are mounted for raising and lowering movement by the transmission 4. As will be clearly seen in Figure 2, the levers 5 are mounted at each side of the transmission and have yokes 6 formed on their corresponding free ends.

In carrying my invention into effect, I employ a frame 1 which, as best seen in Figure 2, straddles the body of the tractor and extends throughout the entire length thereof. The frame I is formed preferably of heavy angle iron and includes side members 8 and 9 which are connected at their corresponding rear ends by a rear, or bight, member ID. The frame 1 is swingingly connected to the rear axle 2 of the tractor by split strap bearings II and I2. In this connection it should be understood that, while I have shown the frame 1 as being connected with the rear axle of the tractor, a suitable mounting frame for my improved combination earth mover and bulldozer may be mounted on the front axle, or at any other suitable point on the tractor, if desired. As clearly seen in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the side members 8 and 9 are provided at their corresponding forward end portions with upwardly inclined portions l3 and I4.

Mounted on the corresponding forward ends of the inclined portions I3 and M are uprights I 5 and I6 which are of substantially L-shape angle iron. The uprights are reinforced by means of inclined braces I! which are connected between the corresponding upper end portions of said uprights and the mid-points of the portions l3 and I4. Mounted on each of the uprights I5 and I6, near its upper end, is an adjusting bolt I 8. The adjusting bolts l8 are each provided with lock nuts l9 and 20, and have their free ends presented forwardly. The purpose of the bolts l8 will be set forth in more detail hereinafter.

Pivotally mounted on the forward ends of the portions l3 and I4 of the side members 8 and 9 is a mounting bracket 2|. The mounting bracket 2! includes a frame 22 and mounting cars 23, said mounting ears being pivotally connected with lugs 24 on the portions [3 and M by means of pivot bolts 25. Connected with the frame 22 of the bracket 2| is a scoop 26, said scoop or bucket being formed of heavy gage sheet metal and being of substantially trough shape. The

scoop is provided with closed end walls 21 which are braced by a reinforcing strip 28. A digging blade 23 is mounted on the bottom wall 30 of the scoop. The scoop is provided with a closed rear wall 3| which abuts the bracket 2|. ring to Figure 4, it will be seen that, in view of the fact that the scoop is pivotally mounted by the bolts 25, it will be possible for said scoop to swing from the position shown in Figure 4 to that shown in Figure 3.

In order to retain the scoop or bucket 26 in either of its operative positions, I employ latch rods 32. The latch rods 32 are pivotally connected to the upper ends of the uprights l and It by means of pivot pins 33 and, as clearly seen in the drawings, project forwardly above the scoop or bucket 26. Mounted on each of the latch rods, near its inner end, is a detent plate 34, said detent plate having a detent 35 thereon. Also, each of the latch rods 32 is provided, at its outer end, with a hook 35, said hook having a detent 36 thereon. In order to shift the latch rods about the pivot pins 33, I provide a lever 37. A cable 38 has one end operatively connected with the upper end of the lever and its other end positioned for convenient manual engagement.

The raising mechanism will now be describes Said raising mechanism includes crank levers 39 which are mounted on brackets 40 on each side of the forward end of the body of the tractor. Pins 4| pivotally connect the levers 39 with the brackets 40. Each of said crank levers 39 includes a relatively short arm 42 and a relatively long arm 43. The relatively short arms 42 are connected to yokes B of the levers 5 by means of cables 44, said cables being trained about pulleys 45 which are carried on the side members of the frame near the corresponding rear ends thereof. The relatively long arms 43 of the crank levers 39 are pivotally connected to the inclined portions l3 and I4, near their corresponding mid-portions, by links 46. Pins 41 and 48 effect the pivotal connection. Guide tracks 49 are mounted on the front end portion of the body of the tractor and guide the forward end of the frame I in its vertical swinging movement. Shoes 50, on the frame, cooperate with the guide tracks and thus assure that the frame will be limited to vertical swinging movement.

The operation of my improved combination earth mover and bulldozer will now be discussed.

When it is desired to use the machine as an earth mover, the forward end of the frame is lowered to the position shown Figure 1. That is to say, the scoop 23 is disposed with its bottom wall 30 and blade 29 parallel with the ground, said blade being in engagement therewith. The detents 35 of the detent plates 34 will, at the same time, engage portions of the upper forward edge of the rear wall 3| of the scoop. It will thus be seen that the scoop will be held rigidly in position for a dirt moving operation. At this point it is desired to call attention to the fact that the bolts l8 are adjustable for allowing the desired amount of play between the detents 35 and the ends of said bolts. Said bolts may be adjusted for shifting the upper end of the wall 3| into tight engagement with the detents 35 when it is desired to take up wear caused by continued use. For filling the scoop it is only necessary to move the tractor forwardly until a sufficient amount of earth has entered the scoop. After the scoop By referhas been filled, and it is desired to move this dirt to another location, where it is to be dumped, the scoop is first raised from the ground. To raise the scoop it is only necessary to place the power take-off in operation for raising the levers 5. As the levers 5 are moved upwardly, they will cause shifting of the cables 44 and swinging of the crank levers 39 about the pivots 4|. When this action takes place, the arms 43 will transmit lifting movement to the forward end of the frame 1 through the links 43. When the power take-oil has moved to full raised position, the frame will be in the position shown in Figures 3 and id the drawings, The tractor may then be driven to the yard or other location where the dirt is to be dumped. When it is desired to dump the dirt, it is only necessary to exert pulling stress upon the cable 38. When this is done, the lever 31 will shift the latch rods 32 upwardly for freeing the detent plates from the upper edge of the rear wall 3| of the scoop. The scoop will thus be permitted to tilt to dumping position for discharging the dirt therein.

After the dirt has been dumped, the scoop will assume the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. At the same time, the latch rods 32 will swing downwardly so that the detents 33 of the hooks 35' will engage portions of the upper edge of the rear wall 3| of the scoop. Said hooks will prevent further downward swinging of the scoop and said scoop will thus be held in a position with the bottom wall 30 in a substantially parallel position. In this position the scoop may be used as a bulldozer for. leveling of! the load previously dumped by the scoop or for filling ditches, smoothing off surfaces, or other similar operations. The frame I may, of course, be lowered to any desired position when the machine is being used as a bulldozer.

It is desired to emphasize that my improved earth mover and bulldozer may be used in conjunction with trucks and other machines, and is, therefore, not limited for use with tractors. Moreover, it should also be understood that, while I have shown the frame I as being pivotally connected to the rear wheels of the tractor, a frame suitable for connection with the front axle of said tractor may be employed.

Attention is directed to the fact that, while the raising mechanism has been shown as being operated by the power take-oi! of the tractor, other suitable means can be employed for effecting this raising operation. For example, a hydraulic ram may be employed or, if desired, a

. ratchet and pinion structure may be used.

My improved combination earth mover and bulldozer has been found to be an ideal machine for use for digging small cellars or for rough grading on yards. When used with tractors having rubber tires, it may be used on surfaces which would not stand heavier machines. My improved earth mover and bulldozer may be quickly installed on a tractor or other suitable source of power. Neither drilling nor welding of parts is required for effecting the installation. When necessary, the scoop 26 may be removed and a snow plow readily attached in lieu thereof.

My improved combination earth mover and bulldozer fills a vacancy in price and quality of work now existing between the heavy caterpillar type of bulldozer and the hand shovel.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A combination earth mover and bulldozer including a frame, means pivotally mounting the frame on a vehicle for swinging movement in a vertical plane, said frame having side members, a scoop, a bracket, means carried by the bracket and the side members and pivotally mounting the scoop on the frame for swinging movement therewith, said scoop being movable vertically on the frame from one position serving as an earth mover to a second operative position serving as a bulldozer, and means carried by the frame for latching the scoop in either of said operative positions, said last-mentioned means including a pivoted latch having a hook and a detent.

2. A combination earth mover and bulldozer including a frame, means mounting the frame on a vehicle, said frame having side members, a scoop, a bracket, means carried by the bracket and the side members and pivotally mounting the scoop on the frame, said scoop being movable from one operative position serving as an earth mover to a second operative position serving as a bulldozer, means carried by the frame for latching the scoop in either of said operative positions, said means including a latch rod, a detent plate on the latch rod, and a hook on said latch rod, said detent plate having a detent engageable with the scoop in earth moving position and said hook having a detent engageable with the scoop in position as a bulldozer.

3. A combination earth mover and bulldozer including a frame, means pivotally connecting the frame to a vehicle for swinging movement in a vertical plane, uprights carried by the frame, a scoop pivotally mounted on the frame for vertical swinging movement therewith and being uprights and engageable with a portion of the scoop for retaining said scoop in engagement with the detent when the machine is operated as an earth mover.

4. A combination earth mover and bulldozer including a frame, means pivotally connecting the frame to a vehicle, uprights carried by the frame, a scoop pivotally mounted on the frame and being movable from one operative position serving as an earth mover to a second operative position serving .as a bulldozer, means pivotally mounted on the uprights and being operable for retaining the scoop in either of said operative positions, said last-mentioned means comprising spaced latch rods, detent plates on the latch rod for engagement with the scoop in the first-mentioned position, hooks on the latch rods for engagement with the scoop in the second-mentioned position, and a lever shiftable for releas ing said latch rods for permitting the scoop to move from said first-mentioned position to said second-mentioned position.

5. A combination earth mover and bulldozer as recited in claim 4 including means for retaining the scoop in operative engagement with the detent plates.

EDWARD C. GLEDHILL. 

